STREET-LEGAL CART SHOWDOWN · SLCS · CENTRAL FLORIDA · How we make money — dealers pay for introductions; no brand pays for rank.

Star EV J-Plus 4 vs. Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Nov 10, 2026

WinnerStar EV J-Plus 4

Star EV J-Plus 4 takes it. It wins on the better price. These sit in different divisions (value vs. luxury), so weigh the price gap accordingly. The full side-by-side of verified specs is below — every figure carries a source and a verification date.

Key takeaways

  • The Star EV J-Plus 4 beats the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) on the better price. They sit in different divisions (value vs luxury), so weigh the price gap.
  • Vehicle warranty: the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) carries 5 years vs the Star EV J-Plus 4's 2.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Star EV J-Plus 4 lands about $14,503 and the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) about $26,004, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Star EV J-Plus 4 and the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Central Florida Edition

Star EV J-Plus 4 vs. Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)

COMPARISON · STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-VS-TOMBERLIN-E-MERGE-SHADOWHAWK
LAST VERIFIED 11/10/2026
Star EVJ-Plus 4WinnerTomberlinE-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)
Dealer-quoted MSRP range$13,350$24,200
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered19.5 mph†1—
Range (low)31 mi†1—
Range (high)31 mi†1—
Battery typelithium†1lithium†3
Battery capacity105 Ah†1125 Ah✓†3
Battery energy—6 kWh†3
System voltage48 V†148 V†4
Seats4†16✓†4
Length120 in†1150 in†4
Width47 in†155.6 in†4
Height75 in†181 in†4
Curb weight1,279 lb†11,620 lb†4
Motor power5 kW†15 kW†4
Motor power (hp)—17 hp†4
BrakesFour-wheel disc brakes with electromagnetic parking brake†14-wheel hydraulic brakes (front disk & rear drum), Smart Park™ electric parking brake†4
SuspensionMcPherson coil spring†1Independent dual A-arm front; front/rear shocks with anti-roll sway bar†4
Display size10 in✓†17 in†4
Warranty2 yr†15 yr✓†4
Battery warranty (total term)6.5 yr†5—
Battery full-replacement coverage3.5 yr†5—
Battery warranty terms6.5 years: free replacement through month 42, then a new pack at 50%, 60% and 70% of retail to month 78†5—
Battery warranty schedule (maker's share)100% to yr 3.5 · 50% yr 3.5–4.5 · 40% yr 4.5–5.5 · 30% yr 5.5–6.5†6—
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes†1Yes†4
Ground clearance4 in†1—
Turning radius15 ft†1—
Range, normalized◆ computed~40 mi~48 mi✓

◆ Range, normalized is our figure, not the maker's: each pack's energy at a standard 0.125 kWh/mile, the same on every cart — an apples-to-apples check on the “up to” range claims above, which are usually measured at 19 mph on the largest optional pack.

†1 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 11/05/2026†2 SOURCE: tomberlinusa.com · VERIFIED 11/10/2026†3 SOURCE: tomberlinusa.com · VERIFIED 10/21/2026†4 SOURCE: tomberlinusa.com · VERIFIED 11/03/2026†5 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†6 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 11/05/2026

◆ The verdict

Star EV J-Plus 4

It wins on the better price. These sit in different divisions (value vs. luxury), so weigh the price gap accordingly.

Save $10,850 vs the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)

Winner

Why it won

price$13,350 vs $24,200

◆ Price the fight — Florida out-the-door

Florida out-the-door estimates (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Star EV J-Plus 4 lands at about $14,503 and the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) at about $26,004, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Star EV J-Plus 4base build · FL out-the-door

Star EV J-Plus 4MSRP as a dealer lists it (the maker publishes none), read Nov 5, 2026$13,350.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$851.00
Title + initial registration (est.)FLHSMV: $77.25 new title + $225 one-time initial registration$302.25
DeliveryQuoted by the dealer — we never guess this number—
Out-the-door estimate$14,503

est. $232.49/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)base build · FL out-the-door

Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)MSRP as a dealer lists it (the maker publishes none), read Oct 20, 2026$24,200.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$1,502.00
Title + initial registration (est.)FLHSMV: $77.25 new title + $225 one-time initial registration$302.25
DeliveryQuoted by the dealer — we never guess this number—
Out-the-door estimate$26,004

est. $416.86/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

METHODOLOGY — what's verified, what's estimated
Cart price and kit prices are sourced and dated — the cart line says whether its price is the maker's MSRP or a dealer's listed price. Tax = 6% FL state + 1% county surtax on the first $5,000 (Fla. Stat. §212.05 / §212.054 — surtax varies by county). Fees = $77.25 FLHSMV new title + $225 one-time initial registration. Plate/annual registration vary by weight and county and are small. Delivery is quoted by the dealer — we never guess it. Your firm number comes from the named dealers in the quote step.
Compared & SourcedVERIFIED 11/2026

Green ✓ marks the better verified figure where the two differ. Verdict scored on the verified specs above — factory-LSV status gates the win.

Rather skip the configurator? Get a dealer quote on either cart:

Frequently asked

Is the Star EV J-Plus 4 or the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) better?
Star EV J-Plus 4 takes it. It wins on the better price. These sit in different divisions (value vs. luxury), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the J-Plus 4 and E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) cost out the door in Florida?
Florida out-the-door estimates (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Star EV J-Plus 4 lands at about $14,503 and the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) at about $26,004, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery. Each cart price is sourced and dated — the maker's MSRP where one is published, otherwise a dealer's listed price, labeled on the ledger; taxes and fees are labeled estimates with the method disclosed. Configure both carts with kits at golfcartshowdown.com/build/compare.